The Ninth Circuit court handed radical California lawmakers a stern rebuke, declaring the state’s “No Vigilantes Act” (NVA) unconstitutional. The court found that the California law violated the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, which makes federal law supreme over state law. 

The NVA would have required any non-uniformed law enforcement officer in California to display a name or badge number for identification, with failure to do so resulting in a criminal charge. The purpose of this legislation was simple: prevent ICE officers from carrying out their duties in California. 

Had this law stood, California Democrats would have put ICE in an impossible situation: disclose their identity to any violent obstructor who demanded it, or commit a crime. 

Democrats framed the bill as a way to protect the public, but left out the ugly truth: the people seeking the identity of ICE agents often intend to murder them or their families. For ICE officers, concealing their personal identity isn’t a way to escape accountability. It’s a survival precaution. 

The Ninth Circuit ruled that the NVA conflicted with federal law by preventing federal law enforcement officials from carrying out their duties. Only Congress can regulate how the federal government carries out its duties.

While the constitutional aspect of the NVA is shocking and blatantly unconstitutional, it also reveals what to expect from the open borders lobby. The state legislation avenue failed, but they will exploit other ways to attack ICE agents. Congressional Democrats are already setting their sights on abolishing ICE altogether.  

Simply put, radical leftists want ICE agents to be unable or too afraid to perform their duties to enforce federal immigration law.

The 287(g) Program offers an excellent way for friendly jurisdictions to support ICE. Republican state legislatures can also pass legislation barring sanctuary cities. Texans for Strong Borders continues to advocate for mass deportations, strengthening immigration enforcement, and reforming our system to put American citizens’ needs first.